PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Thursday, the New Straits Times reported.

Ismail, however, refused to confirm whether he would present a date for the dissolution of parliament.

“Some people say (parliament dissolution will be done) before the tabling of the budget, some say after the budget announcement on Monday.

“Others say this month or November and even next year,” he said when speaking to reporters after attending the Idea Bina Negara Anak Muda Keluarga Malaysia programme at Dewan Agong Tuanku Canselor, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam, today.

Ismail said while anyone could provide suggestions and views on the matter, it would still be the prerogative of the prime minister on dissolving parliament.

“The date for the dissolution has never been discussed openly in public, either within the party or with others.

“Only the PM (prime minister) has the power to suggest for parliament to be dissolved, but the decision lies with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.

Ismail also said that the memorandum of understanding with the opposition would be valid until parliament was dissolved.

Opposition politicians, however, had urged Ismail not to expedite the general election citing the monsoon season, which could see widespread flooding. – October 4, 2022.